Effective power management for pluggable transceiver receiving hardware in network switching systems

ABSTRACT

A transceiver-receiving system, such as a network switch with pluggable transceivers, is built with hardware and machine logic so that power to certain components is turned off when the pluggable transceiver is not present in its plug in slot. The machine logic for handling the turning off an on of power is present on a processor on the board to which the plug-in slot is attached. The other hardware for handling the turning on and off of the power includes a communication line from the plug-in slot to the processor, and a set of switch(es) located on the power path for the component(s) to be turned on and off according to the presence of absence of the transceiver.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of networkswitching and more particularly to network switching systems thatinclude pluggable transceiver modules (for example, SFP+ (smallform-factor pluggable plus) transceivers).

A network switch or switching hub is a computer networking device thatlinks network segments or network devices. A switch is atelecommunication device that receives a message from any deviceconnected to it, and then transmits the message only to the device forwhich the message was meant. This makes the switch a more intelligentdevice than a hub, which receives a message and then transmits it to allthe other devices on its network. The network switch plays an integralpart in most modern ethernet local area networks (LANs). Switches existfor various types of networks including fiber channel, ethernet andothers.

Some network switch systems use “pluggable transceivers” to receive andtransmit communications as part of the system's functioning as a networkswitch. Some known types of pluggable transceivers include SFP, SFP+ andQSFP+ (quad small form-factor pluggable plus). Some network switchsystems include multiple plug-in module connectors (for example, slot orsocket connectors) with each connector being capable of removablyreceiving a pluggable transceiver. Herein, any computer that accepts oneor more removable transceiver modules is referred to as a“transceiver-receiving computer.” Transceiver-receiving computersinclude, but are not limited to network switch typetransceiver-receiving computers and switching hub typetransceiver-receiving computers.

Some transceiver-receiving computer systems include one or morededicated printed circuit board (PCB) assembly(ies), each of whichincludes one or more plug-in module connector(s). In this kind oftransceiver-receiving system, the PCB assembly: (i) mechanicallyremovably supports and removably secures the plug-in moduleconnector(s); (ii) provides certain types of processing on signals sentto and/or received from the pluggable transceiver(s); and (iii) provideselectrical power to the pluggable transceiver(s) and the processingcomponents included in the PCB assembly.

An ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) is an (IC) integratedcircuit customized for a particular use, rather than intended forgeneral purpose use. As feature sizes have shrunk and design toolsimproved, the maximum complexity and functionality possible in an ASIChas grown. Modern ASICs often include entire microprocessors, memoryblocks including ROM (read only memory), RAM (random access memory),EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory), flashmemory and other large building blocks. Some ASICs require multiplevoltages. Some ASICs further require voltage sequencing, where onevoltage is applied to a chip prior to another voltage, to properlyinitialize the device and/or avoid hardware damage. Some PCB assembliesof network switches, as discussed above, use one or more ASICs to helpprocess signals sent to and/or received from their pluggabletransceiver(s).

More specifically, some known types of ASICs for use intransceiver-receiving computers include: (i) switch ASICs that performthe network switching functionality for signals sent to and/or receivedfrom the pluggable transceiver(s); (ii) physical layer (PHY) ASICs forconnecting to physical media; (iii) SerDes (serializer/deserializer)ASICs for providing a high speed signaling interface (SerDes machinelogic may be built and/or programmed into the switch ASIC mentionedabove); (iv) re-timer ASICs for re-clocking the data; (v) buffer ASIC(s)that serve as a buffer memory for incoming and/or outgoing transceiversignals; and/or (vi) XPS (cross point switch) ASICs for handlingmultiple inputs to be routed to different outputs (for example, a 2×2cross point switch lets port A at input go to port A output or port Boutput). It is known that these various types of ASIC functions can becombined on a single chip and/or distributed over multiple chips. It isalso known that at least some of these kinds of transceiver signalprocessing components can be implemented in forms other than an ASIC,such as being implemented by a general purpose IC or other programmablelogic device. For example, the buffer memory may be implemented as astandard random access memory (RAM). Regardless of their specific formof implementation, these transceiver signal processing components: (i)generally require a supply of power when operational; (ii) will hereincollectively be referred to as powered transceiver signal processingcomponents (or PTSP components); (iii) for PTSPC involved in switching,these will herein sometimes be referred to as switching-related poweredtransceiver signal processing components (SPTSP components); and (iv)for PTSP components that are interposed between the plug-in moduleconnector and the SPTSP components, these will herein sometimes bereferred to as intermediate powered transceiver signal processingcomponents (IPTSP components).

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is a methodincluding the following steps (not necessarily in the following order):(i) providing a transceiver-receiving system including a first machinelogic module, a first receiving connector, a first communication line, afirst power supply, a first powered component, and a first switch; (ii)receiving, from the first receiving connector through the firstcommunication line and by the first machine logic module, a first signalindicating that a removable transceiver module has been removed from thefirst receiving connector; and (iii) controlling, by the first machinelogic module in response to receipt of the first signal, the firstswitch to turn off so that a flow of power from the first power supplyto the first powered component is stopped.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, atransceiver-receiving system includes: a first machine logic module; afirst receiving connector; a first communication line; a first powersupply; a first powered component; and a first switch. The firstreceiving connector, the first communication line and the first machinelogic module are structured, connected and/or programmed to send fromthe first receiving connector through the first communication line tothe first machine logic module, a first signal indicating that aremovable transceiver module has been removed from the first receivingconnector. The first logic module is structured, connected and/orprogrammed to, in response to receipt of the first signal, control thefirst switch to turn off so that a flow of power from the first powersupply to the first powered component is stopped.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a network switchingsystem according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a first pin out diagram of a transceiver module suitable foruse in some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a second pin out diagram of a transceiver module suitable foruse in some embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a method performed, at least in part, bythe first embodiment system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some embodiments of the present invention recognize the following withrespect to the conventional state of the art of power management ofnetworking switching devices: (i) it is getting difficult to manage inhigh speed ports; (ii) there is an issue that when high speedtransceiver ports are not populated, there is wasted power beingconsumed by the entire switch; and (iii) wasted power increaseselectrical costs for the customer and also adds extra heat (thermals) tothe product. Some embodiments of the present invention include machinelogic that responds to removal of pluggable transceiver module from anetwork switching system by turning off power to powered component(s).In various embodiments, these powered components may include one, ormore, of the following: (i) the plug-in module connector; (ii)switching-related powered transceiver signal processing components(SPTSP components); and/or (iii) intermediate powered transceiver signalprocessing components (IPTSP components). The turning off of poweredcomponent(s) may be implemented through one, or more, solid stateswitches. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects ofthe present invention may be embodied as a system, method or computerprogram product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may takethe form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely softwareembodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) oran embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show network switching (or transceiver-receiving) system100, including: printed circuit board (PCB) assembly 102; and SFP+pluggable transceiver module 200. PCB assembly 102 includes: ITPSPcomponent set (including PHY ASIC, SerDes ASIC, re-timer ASIC, bufferASIC and XPS ASIC) 104; switch ASIC 106 (including port sub-component140); power switches 110 a, b, c; direct current (DC) power supplies 111a, b, c, d; plug-in module connector (also called socket or slot) 120;communication line 121; microprocessor/programmable logic module 150;software storage device (see definition, below) 152; resistor 153;control software 154; and data bus 156.

As those of skill in the art will appreciate, system 100 is similar toconventional switching systems, except for power switches 110 a, b, cand control software 154. While many variations on this hardware schemeare within the scope of the present invention, two possible variationsthat will be mentioned are: (i) software storage device 152 and controlsoftware 154 could be made as an integral part of module 150 of PCBassembly 102; or (ii) software storage device 152 and control software154 could be external to PCB assembly 102.

As shown in FIG. 2, the 20-pin pin out configuration for SFP+transceiver module 200 is as follows: (i) P1=GND; (ii) P2=TX_FAULT;(iii) P3=TX_DISABLE; (iv) P4=SDA; (v) P5=SCL; (vi) P6=MOD_ABS (note:this is the pin that sends out the signal indicating presence of thetransceiver module); (vii) P7=RS0; (viii) P8=RX_LOS; (ix) P9=RS1; (x)P10=GND; (xi) P11=GND; (xii) P12=RXn; (xiii) P13=RXp; (xiv) P14=GND;(xv) P15=+3.3V; (xvi) P16=+3.3V; (xvii) P17=GND; (xviii) P18=TXp; (xix)P19=TXn; and (xx) P20=GND. Alternatively, other kinds of pluggabletransceiver modules could be used, such as QSFP+ transceiver module 300,shown in FIG. 3, which has the following 38-pin pin out configuration:(i) P1=GND; (ii) P2=TX2n; (iii) P3=TX2p; (iv) P4=GND; (v) P5=TX4n; (vi)P6=TX4p; (vii) P7=GND; (viii) P8=MODSELn; (ix) P9=RESETn; (x) P10=3.3V;(xi) P11=SCL; (xii) P12=SDA; (xiii) P13=GND; (xiv) P14=RX3p; (xv)P15=RX3n; (xvi) P16=GND; (xvii) P17=RX1p; (xviii) P18=RX1n; (xix)P19=GND; (xx) P20=GND; (xxi) P21=RX2n; (xxii) P22=RX2p; (xxiii) P23=GND;(xxiv) P24=RX4n; (xxv) P25=RX4p; (xxvi) P26=GND; (xxvii) P27=MODPRSn(note: this is the pin that sends out the signal indicating presence ofthe transceiver module); (xxviii) P28=INTn; (xxix) P29=3.3V; (xxx)P30=3.3V; (xxxi) P31=LPMODE; (xxxii) P32=GND; (xxxiii) P33=TX3p; (xxxiv)P34=TX3n; (xxxv) P35=GND; (xxxvi) P36=TX1p; (xxxvii) P37=TX1n; and(xxxviii) P38=GND.

In system 100, switches 110 a, b, c are in the form of MOSFETs (metaloxide semiconductor field effect transistors). Alternatively, theseswitches could take other forms, such as a hot swap controller or a loadswitch. If the power is supplied by a single POL (point of load) powersupply then the ON/OFF pin (which is herein considered as a type of“switch”) can be used instead of external FETs.

In system 100, microprocessor/programmable logic module 150 is madeusing Lattice MACH XO and XO2 family of parts. Alternatively, module 150could be made from any FPGA (field programmable gate array) or CPLD(complex programmable logic device).

System 100 includes resistor 153, which, in this example has aresistance of 10 Kohms (kilo-ohms). Resistor 153 is used to keep thesignal high when the transceiver is not plugged in. The use of aresistor in this embodiment is just one example of a specificimplementation of achieving a predictable logic state that is dependentupon whether a transceiver module is present or absent. Otherimplementations to achieve the same functionality are possible.

Control software 154 is performed by microprocessor/programmable logicmodule 150 to perform a method shown in flow chart 400 of FIG. 4. Thismethod, which occurs when pluggable transceiver module 200 is removedfrom plug-in module connector 120, will now be explained in thefollowing paragraphs.

Processing begins at step S405, where pluggable transceiver module 200is in plug-in module connector 120. During this time normal networkswitching operations occur, including communications communicatedthrough pluggable transceiver module 200.

Processing proceeds to step S410, where control software 154 monitorsthe presence of the transceiver through communication line 121 in orderto determine whether pluggable transceiver module 200 is still in placein plug-in module connector 120. If it is still in place then the signalreceived through communication line 121 will remain at the LOW status,and processing will loop back to step S405. However, if pluggabletransceiver module 200 has been removed (by pulling it out in thedirection of arrow D as shown in system 100, FIG. 1), then communicationline 121 will change to HIGH status. In response to this change, controlsoftware 154 will cause processing to proceed to step S415.Alternatively, status could change from LOW to HIGH in order to indicateinsertion of the transceiver module. These changes from LOW to HIGH orfrom HIGH to LOW are herein considered as one possible form of a“signal” that is received by control software 154. As a furtheralternative, more complex signals (such as, non-binary signals ormultiple bit signals) could be used.

At step S415, control software 154 controls switch 110 a to turn to offstatus in order to turn off power to plug-in module connector 120. Insome embodiments, this is the main cause of power savings.

Processing proceeds to step S420, where control software 154 controlsswitch 110 b to turn to off status in order to turn off power to ITPSPcomponent set 104. In this embodiment, all ITPSP components receivepower from a common DC power supply 111 b, so all of the ITPSPcomponents can be turned off with a single switch. Alternatively, theITPSP component set may receive power from multiple DC power supplies,and are turned off by turning off multiple switches. As a furtheralternative, some or all of the ITPSP components may share a powersupply with plug-in module connector 120 so that these components wouldbe turned off by switch 110 a at previous step S415. As a furtheralternative, ITPSP component set may include different ITPSP componentsthan the ITPSP components included in network switching system 100. As afurther alternative, in some embodiments step S420, and switch 110 b,may be omitted.

Processing proceeds to step S425, where control software 154 controlsswitch 110 c to turn to off status in order to turn off power to portsub-component 140 of switch ASIC 106. It is noted that switch ASIC 106is not completely powered down, but its port sub-component is. In thisexample, switch ASIC 106 is not completely powered down because otherports need their data switched—a switch ASIC is usually 24 ports ormore. Alternatively, additional sub-components of switch ASIC 106 couldbe powered off, which may or may not require additional power switches.As a further alternative, port sub-component 140 may share a powersupply with plug-in module connector 120 and/or the ITPSP component setso that it does not need to be separately turned off by switch 110 c. Asa further alternative, in some embodiments step S425, and switch 110 c,may be omitted.

This will involve controlling the power switches to power down therelevant devices and/or power down any DC (direct current) powersupplies powering these devices. This will be done such that the powereddown devices will not impact the operation of other circuitry in theequipment. Once these devices are powered down, the software willcontinue to monitor the module present pin, through communication line121, for a switch from HIGH to LOW signal status indicating thatpluggable transceiver module 200 is reinserted into the connector 120.As mentioned above, signal 121 is pulled to HIGH using resistor 153 whennot plugged in. A converse process to that shown in flow chart 400occurs when the pluggable transceiver module is re-inserted in plug-inmodule connector 120 and the components are powered up, initialized (forexample, in the currently conventional way) and begin normalcommunication operations through transceiver 200.

The flowchart (of FIG. 4) and block diagrams (of FIGS. 1 to 3)illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possibleimplementations of systems, methods and computer program productsaccording to various embodiments of the present invention. In thisregard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent amodule, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or moreexecutable instructions for implementing the specified logicalfunction(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware andcomputer instructions.

Some embodiments of the present invention may include one, or more, ofthe following features, characteristics and/or advantages: (i) a powercontrol solution that completely powers down any powered device in thepath between the switch ASIC and the transceiver, whenever thetransceiver module is not physically present in its receiving hardware(for example, slot or socket); (ii) an effective solution where theactual SerDes blocks within the switch are also powered off; (iii) useof ethernet switch ASICs that have separate power rails for the SerDesblocks; (iv) effectively monitoring the module present pins, toimplement a real time power management solution with little to no addedcost, by simply using the processor, a CPLD (complex programmable logicdevice), and some extra power switches to turn off the power; (v) if thepower is supplied by a single POL power supply, then the ON/OFF pin canbe used instead of the external power switches; (vi) an effective way toreduce power in switch products; (vii) a relatively easy method ofknowing how much power is used in many typical configurations; and/or(viii) a competitive advantage in current ethernet and fiber channelswitch environments.

The following paragraphs set forth some definitions.

Present invention: should not be taken as an absolute indication thatthe subject matter described by the term “present invention” is coveredby either the claims as they are filed, or by the claims that mayeventually issue after patent prosecution; while the term “presentinvention” is used to help the reader to get a general feel for whichdisclosures herein that are believed as maybe being new, thisunderstanding, as indicated by use of the term “present invention,” istentative and provisional and subject to change over the course ofpatent prosecution as relevant information is developed and as theclaims are potentially amended.

Embodiment: see definition of “present invention” above—similar cautionsapply to the term “embodiment.”

and/or: inclusive or; for example, A, B “and/or” C means that at leastone of A or B or C is true and applicable.

Electrically connected: means either directly electrically connected, orindirectly electrically connected, such that intervening elements arepresent; in an indirect electrical connection, the intervening elementsmay include inductors and/or transformers.

Mechanically connected: Includes both direct mechanical connections, andindirect mechanical connections made through intermediate components;includes rigid mechanical connections as well as mechanical connectionsthat allows for relative motion between the mechanically connectedcomponents; includes, but is not limited, to welded connections, solderconnections, connections by fasteners (for example, nails, bolts,screws, nuts, hook-and-loop fasteners, knots, rivets, quick-releaseconnections, latches and/or magnetic connections), force fitconnections, friction fit connections, connections secured by engagementcaused by gravitational forces, pivoting or rotatable connections,and/or slidable mechanical connections.

Software storage device: any device (or set of devices) capable ofstoring computer code in a manner less transient than a signal intransit.

Tangible medium software storage device: any software storage device(see Definition, above) that stores the computer code in and/or on atangible medium.

Non-transitory software storage device: any software storage device (seeDefinition, above) that stores the computer code in a non-transitorymanner.

Receiving connector: any connector in a network switching device thatcan receive a removable transceiver module.

Machine logic module: any set of hardware, software, firmware an/orcombination of the foregoing types that can apply machine logic.

First signal/second signal: these two signals may be communicatedthrough the same signal communication line; for example, a change fromLOW to HIGH may be considered as a first signal, and a subsequent changefrom HIGH to LOW may be considered as second signal.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: providing atransceiver-receiving system comprising: a first machine logic module, afirst receiving connector, a first communication line, a first powersupply, a first powered component, and a first switch; receiving, fromthe first receiving connector through the first communication line andby the first machine logic module, a first signal indicating that aremovable transceiver module has been removed from the first receivingconnector; and controlling, by the first machine logic module inresponse to receipt of the first signal, the first switch to turn off sothat a flow of power from the first power supply to the first poweredcomponent is stopped.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:receiving, from the first receiving connector through the firstcommunication line and by the first machine logic module, a secondsignal indicating that a removable transceiver module has been placedinto the first receiving connector; and controlling, by the firstmachine logic module in response to receipt of the second signal, thefirst switch to turn on so that a flow of power from the first powersupply to the first powered component begins.
 3. The method of claim 1wherein the first powered component is the first receiving connector. 4.The method of claim 1 wherein: the transceiver-receiving system furthercomprises a switch application specific integrated circuit (ASIC); andthe first powered component is a portion of the switch ASIC.
 5. Themethod of claim 1 wherein: the transceiver-receiving system furthercomprises: a switching-related powered transceiver signal processingcomponent, a data bus structured and/or located to connect the firstreceiving connector and the switching-related powered transceiver signalprocessing component, and a first intermediate powered transceiversignal processing component structured and/or located to be in datacommunication with the data bus; and the first powered component is thefirst intermediate powered transceiver signal processing component. 6.The method of claim 5 wherein the switching-related powered transceiversignal processing component is in the form of an application specificintegrated circuit.
 7. The method of claim 5 wherein the first poweredcomponent is one of the following types: physical layer component,serializer/deserializer component, re-timer component, buffer memorycomponent, and extended parallel server component.
 8. The method ofclaim 1 wherein: the transceiver-receiving system further comprises: aswitching-related powered transceiver signal processing component, adata bus structured and/or located to connect the first receivingconnector and the switching-related powered transceiver signalprocessing component, and a plurality of intermediate poweredtransceiver signal processing components, with each intermediate poweredtransceiver signal processing component of the plurality of intermediatepowered transceiver signal processing components structured and/orlocated to be in data communication with the data bus; the first poweredcomponent is the first intermediate powered transceiver signalprocessing component; and the method further comprises: controlling, bythe first machine logic module in response to receipt of the firstsignal, power to all intermediate powered transceiver signal processingcomponents of the plurality of intermediate powered transceiver signalprocessing components to be turned off.
 9. The method of claim 1 whereinthe first receiving connector is sized, shaped, connected, structuredand/or located to receive at least one of the following types ofremovable transceiver modules: small form-factor pluggable, smallform-factor pluggable plus, and quad small form-factor pluggable plus.10. The method of claim 1 wherein the transceiver-receiving system is anetwork switching system.
 11. A transceiver-receiving system comprising:a first machine logic module; a first receiving connector; a firstcommunication line; a first power supply; a first powered component; anda first switch; wherein: the first receiving connector, the firstcommunication line and the first machine logic module are structured,connected and/or programmed to send from the first receiving connectorthrough the first communication line to the first machine logic module,a first signal indicating that a removable transceiver module has beenremoved from the first receiving connector; and the first logic moduleis structured, connected and/or programmed to, in response to receipt ofthe first signal, control the first switch to turn off so that a flow ofpower from the first power supply to the first powered component isstopped.
 12. The system of claim 11 wherein: the first receivingconnector, the first communication line and the first machine logicmodule are further structured, connected and/or programmed to send fromthe first receiving connector, through the first communication line, tothe first machine logic module, a second signal indicating that aremovable transceiver module has been placed into the first receivingconnector; and the first logic module is further structured, connectedand/or programmed to, in response to receipt of the second signal,control the first switch to turn on so that a flow of power from thefirst power supply to the first powered component begins.
 13. The systemof claim 11 wherein the first powered component is the first receivingconnector.
 14. The system of claim 11 further comprising: a switchapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC); and the first poweredcomponent is a portion of the switch ASIC.
 15. The system of claim 11further comprising: a switching-related powered transceiver signalprocessing component; a data bus structured and/or located to connectthe first receiving connector and the switching-related poweredtransceiver signal processing component; and a first intermediatepowered transceiver signal processing component structured and/orlocated to be in data communication with the data bus; wherein: thefirst powered component is the first intermediate powered transceiversignal processing component.
 16. The system of claim 15 wherein theswitching-related powered transceiver signal processing component is inthe form of an application specific integrated circuit.
 17. The systemof claim 15 wherein the first powered component is one of the followingtypes: physical layer component, serializer/deserializer component,re-timer component, buffer memory component, and extended parallelserver component.
 18. The system of claim 11 further comprising: aswitching-related powered transceiver signal processing component; adata bus structured and/or located to connect the first receivingconnector and the switching-related powered transceiver signalprocessing component; and a plurality of intermediate poweredtransceiver signal processing components, with each intermediate poweredtransceiver signal processing component of the plurality of intermediatepowered transceiver signal processing components structured and/orlocated to be in data communication with the data bus; wherein: thefirst powered component is the first intermediate powered transceiversignal processing component; and the first machine logic module isfurther structured, connected and/or programmed to, in response toreceipt of the first signal, control power to all intermediate poweredtransceiver signal processing components of the plurality ofintermediate powered transceiver signal processing components to beturned off.
 19. The system of claim 11 wherein the first receivingconnector is sized, shaped, connected, structured and/or located toreceive at least one of the following types of removable transceivermodules: small form-factor pluggable, small form-factor pluggable plus,and quad small form-factor pluggable plus.
 20. The system of claim 11wherein the transceiver-receiving system is a network switching system.